Part 12

Martin. I don't know.

Magist. But, What do you think ails them?

Martin. I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it.

Magist. Don't you think they are bewitched?

Martin. No, I do not think they are.

Magist. Tell us your thoughts about them then.

Martin. No, my thoughts are my own when they are in, but when they are out, they are anothers. Their Master--

Magist. Their Master; Who do you think is their Master?

Martin. If they be dealing in the black Art, you may know as well as I.

Magist. Well, what have you done towards this?

Martin. Nothing at all.

Magist. Why, 'tis you or your appearance.

Martin. I can't help it.

Magist. Is it not your Master? How comes your appearance to hurt these?

Martin. How do I know? He that appeared in the shape of Samuel, a Glorified Saint may appear in any ones shape.

It was then also noted in her, as in others like her, that if the Afflicted went to approach her, they were flung down to the ground. And, when she was asked the reason of it, she said, I cannot tell, it may be, the Devil bears me more Malice than another.--

The Court accounted themselves Alarm'd by these things, to inquire further into the Conversation of the Prisoner; and see what there might occur, to render these Accusations further credible.⒜ Whereupon John Allen, of Salisbury testified, that he refusing, because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves at the request of this Martin, she was displeased at it, and said, It had been as good that he had; for his Oxen should never do him much more service. Whereupon this Deponent said, Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch? I'll throw thee into the Brook: which to avoid, she flew over the Bridge and escaped. But as he was going home, one of his Oxen tired, so that he was forced to unyoke him, that he might get him home. He then put his Oxen with many more, upon Salisbury-Beach, where Cattle did use to get Flesh. In a few Days, all the Oxen upon the Beach were found by their Tracks, to have run unto the mouth of Merrimack-River and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore upon Plum-Island. They that sought them, used all imaginable gentleness, but they would still run away with a violence, that seemed wholly Diabolical, till they came near the mouth of Merrimack-River; when they ran right into the Sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. One of them then swam back again, with a swiftness amazing to the beholders, who stood ready to receive them, and help up his tired Carcass: but the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from thence thorough the Marishes, up into Newbury Town, and so up into the Woods; and there after a while found near Amesbury. So that of Fourteen good Oxen, there was only this saved: the rest were all cast up, some in one place, and some in another, Drowned.

⒜: The Above is but a very small Part of the Examination, as appears by the Records. See Wonders of the Invisible World, Vol. I, P. 175.

4. John Atkinson testified, that he exchanged a Cow, with a Son of Susanna Martins, whereat she muttered, and was unwilling he should have it. Going to receive this Cow, tho he Hamstring'd her, and halter'd her, she of a tame Creature grew so mad, that they could scarce get her along. She broke all the Ropes that were fastened unto her, and tho she was tied fast unto a Tree, yet she made her escape, and gave them such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no cause but Witchcraft.

5. Bernard Peache testified that being in Bed, on a Lords Day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then saw Susanna Martin come in, and jump down upon the floor. She took hold of this Deponents Feet, and drawing his body up into an heap, she lay upon him near two hours; in all which time he could neither speak nor stir. At length when he could begin to move he laid hold on her hand, and pulling it up to his mouth, he bit three of her Fingers as he judged to the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber down the Stairs, out at the door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the people of the House to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow her. The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left hand of the door, there was a drop of Blood on it; and several more drops of Blood upon the Snow, newly fallen abroad. There was likewise the print of her two Feet, just without the Threshold; but no more sign of any footing further off.

At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto a husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, If he did not come, it were better that he did! He went not; but the night following, Susanna Martin, as he judged, and another came towards him. One of them said, here he is! but he, having a Quarterstaff, made a blow at them. The Roof of the Barn broke his blow; but following them to the Window, he made another blow at them, and struck them down; yet they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them.

About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that Martin had a broken head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that.

The said Peache also testified, the bewitching of Cattle to Death, upon Martin's discontents.

6. Robert Downer testified, that this Prisoner being some years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, He believed she was a Witch. Whereat she being disatisfied, said, That some she Devil would shortly fetch him away; which words were heard by others, as well as himself; the night following, as he lay in his Bed, there came in at the Window, the likeness of a Cat, which flew upon him, and took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and almost killed him; at length he remembered what Susanna Martin had threatened the Day before, and with much striving, he cried out, Avoid thou the Devil, In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, avoid: Whereupon it left him, leaped on the Floor, and flew out at the Window.

And there also came in several Testimonies that before ever Downer spoke a word of this Accident, Susanna Martin and her Family had related how this Downer had been handled.

7. John Kembal testified, that Susanna Martin, upon a causeless disgust had threatned him about a certain Cow of his, that she should never do him any more good, and it came to pass accordingly; for soon after the Cow was found stark dead on the dry ground, without any Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he was followed with a strange death upon more of his Cattle. Whereof he lost in one Spring, to the value of 30l. But the said John Kembal, had a further Testimony to give in against the Prisoner, which was truly admirable. Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy one of this Martin, who had a Bitch with Whelps in her House, but she not letting him have his choice; he said, He would supply himself then at one Blezdels. Having mark'd a Puppy which he liked at Blezdels, he met George Martin, the Husband of the Prisoner going by, who asked whether he would not have one of his Wives Puppy's; and he answered, No. The same Day one Edmund Eliot, being at Martins House heard George Martin relate where this Kembal had been, and what he had said; whereupon Susanna Martin reply'd, If I live I'll give him Puppies enough. Within a few days after this, Kembal coming out of the Woods, there arose a little black Cloud in the N. W. and Kembal immediately felt a force upon him, which made him not able to avoid running upon the stumps of Trees that were before him, albeit he had a broad plain cart way before him; but tho he had his Axe also on his Shoulder to endanger him in his falls, he could not forbear going out of his way to tumble over them. When he came below the Meeting-House, there appeared unto him a little thing like a Puppy of a darkish Colour, and it shot backwards and forwards between his Legs. He had the Courage to use all possible endeavours of cutting it with his Axe, but he could not hit it; the Puppy gave a jump from him and went, as to him it seem'd into the Ground. Going a little further there appeared unto him a black Puppy, somewhat bigger than the First, but as black as a Coal. It's motions were quicker than those of his Axe. It flew at his Belly, and away at his Throat, so over his Shoulders one way, and then over his Shoulders another way, his heart now began to fail him, and he thought the Dog would have tore his Throat out. But he recovered himself, and called upon God in his distress, and naming the name of Jesus Christ it vanished away at once. The Deponent spoke not one word of these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his Wife. But the next morning, Edmund Eliot going into Martins house, this Woman asked him, where Kembal was? He replied, at home a Bed, for ought he knew. She returned; they say he was frighted last night. Eliot asked with what? She answered with Puppies. Eliot asked, where she heard of it, for he had heard nothing of it! She rejoined, about the Town. Altho' Kembal had mentioned the matter to no creature living.

8. William Brown testified, that Heaven having bless'd him with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day met with Susanna Martin: but when she approached just unto her, Martin vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted. After which time the said Martin often appeared unto her, giving her no little trouble; and when she did come, she was visited with Birds that sorely peck'd and prick'd her; and sometimes a bunch like a Pullets Egg would rise on her Throat, ready to choak her, till she cry'd out, Witch, you shan't choak me! While this good Woman was in this Extremity, the Church appointed a Day of Prayer on her behalf; whereupon the trouble ceas'd; she saw not Martin as formerly; and the Church instead of their Fast, gave thanks for her deliverance. But a considerable while after, she being summoned to give in some Evidence at the Court, against this Martin, quickly this Martin came behind her, while she was Milking her Cow, and said unto her, For thy defaming me at Court, I'll make thee the miserablest Creature in the World. Soon after which she fell into a strange kind of Distemper, and became horribly Frantick, and uncapable of any Reasonable Action, the Physicians declaring, that her Distemper was preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and in that condition she now remained.

9. Sarah Atkinson testified, that Susanna Martin came from Amesbury, to their House at Newbury, in an extraordinary Season, when it was not fit for any one to Travel. She came (as she said unto Atkinson) all that long way on foot. She bragg'd and show'd how dry she was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her Shoes were wet. Atkinson was amazed at it, and professed, that she should herself have been wet up to the Knees, if she had then come so far; but Martin reply'd, She scorned to be drabbled! It was noted that this Testimony upon her Tryal, cast her into a very singular confusion.